Vande Bharat Express: Surekha Yadav First Female operator

Surekha Yadav, a pioneer in India’s railway sector, has once again etched her name in history as she becomes the inaugural woman to operate the newly introduced Vande Bharat Express, a semi-high-speed train.

Hailing from Satara in western Maharashtra, Surekha Yadav first made headlines in 1988 when she became India’s first female train driver. Throughout her illustrious career, she has garnered numerous accolades at both state and national levels, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the railway industry.

Central Railways recently announced Yadav’s milestone achievement after she successfully steered the Vande Bharat Express between Solapur station and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai. Her professionalism was commended by the authorities, with the train departing Solapur on schedule and arriving at CSMT five minutes ahead of time.

Following the completion of the over 450-kilometer journey, Yadav was honored with a felicitation ceremony at platform number 8 at CSMT, highlighting her remarkable feat.

Yadav’s journey is further accentuated by her participation in significant events, such as last year’s International Women’s Day celebrations. On that occasion, Central Railways operated the prestigious Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen Express and the CSMT-Kalyan ladies’ special local train with all-women crews. Yadav operated the Deccan Queen alongside assistant loco pilot Sayali Sawardekar, showcasing her leadership and expertise.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav extended his congratulations to Yadav for her groundbreaking achievement, emphasizing the significance of “Nari Shakti” (women empowerment) in propelling progress and innovation within the railway sector.

Surekha Yadav’s extraordinary journey serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring women in the railway industry and beyond. Her dedication, professionalism, and trailblazing spirit exemplify the boundless potential of women in traditionally male-dominated fields. As she continues to shatter barriers and create history, Yadav’s legacy will undoubtedly leave an enduring impact on India’s railway landscape.

_{Repurposed article originally published in She the People}